wolof wedding traditions

Multiple marriages have been common, with many Wolof households featuring two wives. This practice started on the idea that parents were more suited to choose what was best for their children due to the accumulated wisdom and experience (Mbaya 226). [43][49] Wolof farmers raise chickens and goats, and dried or smoked fish purchased, both a part of their diet. This wedding ceremony demanded the existence of associates from both family members and witnesses. Trainee Wolof manual, Dakar: Peace Corps, 2012. 31). IvyPanda. @2015-2019 - INLANDTOWN.COM. All of these customs are expected at modern weddings, but these wedding traditions actually date back to ancient times. [8] However, historical evidence left by Islamic scholars and European travelers suggest that Wolof warriors and rulers did not initially convert to Islam, although accepting and relying on Muslim clerics as counselors and administrators. Traditional marriage in Wolof culture is such a unique one where the maternal influence play a major role. They manifest a highly conscious sense of ethnic identity and ethnic pride. [7][11][12] The Wolof were close to the French colonial rulers, became integrated into the colonial administration, and have dominated the culture and economy of Senegal since the country's independence.[13]. 40. An intriguing aspect of these arrangements was that the intervention of diviners was sought to determine if the marriage was feasible before marriage actually took place (Gamble et al. Griots are West African storytellers and musicians who tend to show up (uninvited) to big events like weddings to try to make some money. The common marriage age with regard to the Wolof was your early twenties with regard to boys and past due teens for females (Gamble et al. Falola, Toyin; Salm, Steven J. Urbanization and African cultures. InlandTown You agree to receive occasional updates about ONE's campaigns. [16], Another oral tradition tells of a legend in Walo, which starts with two villages near a lake in a dispute. 31). Wolof originated as the language of the Lebu people. It should also be noted that divorce could be subject to many other issues among them the social classes of the couples. In order to form a strong and stable family among the Wolof, it was traditionally believed that cross-cousin marriage (young man marrying a maternal uncles daughter) was the best form of marriage (Gamble et al. [39] She places the development and spread of castes in these societies to about the 10th century, because slave capture, slave trade, and slave holding by elite families across the Sahel, West Africa, and North Africa was an established institution by then, and slavery created a template for servile relationships and social stratification. Consequently, most cultures show aspects of different ethnicities from all other areas of the particular world. During Victorian times, a pageboy was responsible for carrying a brides train down the aisle along with a prayer book. Today, a young man may identify a particular girl and after the approval of parents, the father initiates talks to ask for the girls hand in marriage (Gamble et al. Culture recognizes peoples lifestyles plus it sets system exactly where people can keep company with other social groups in the provided place. Agreements would then be made on how much further payments (marriage money) needed to be made and when the time for its payment came, other gifts were also given to the brides mother, father and peers. Muhammadu Buhari The age-old wedding tradition of a flower girl stems from an Ancient Roman tradition where young virgins would carry sheaths of wheat, which was believed to bring onwell-being and good fortune to the newlyweds. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 11. Once married, a newlywed couple would drink mead, an alcoholic beverage made of honey, a tradition that would take place during their first moon of marriage. 31). 4 (1955): 391-403. 5. While some traditions take place on the wedding day, others are done in advance of the nuptials, such as burying a bottle of bourbon. The Wolof as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. A young boy was seen on an ever busy highway in Shanghai. 32). During the ceremony, a small payment consisting of kola nuts and money was made to the brides family, thus making the marriage legally binding (Gamble et al. They also have a rich tradition of oral storytelling, which helps to preserve their history and cultural heritage.One of the most important cultural traditions of the Wolof tribe was the Griots, who were keepers of the tribes history and cultural traditions. student. Once it was decided that his character was good, further gifts would be presented to the girls family to seal a covenant that left the young man as the sole suitor. The xooy is a time of great celebration and joy, and is an important moment in the Wolof calendar. Like the neighbouring languages Serer and Fula, it belongs to the Senegambian branch of the NigerCongo language family. This fun wedding tradition dates back to the 14th century. The institution associated with marriage is a good intrinsic section of the Wolof culture. Itty Okopide The grooms main warrior companion would be the equivalent of the best man at a wedding. The pre-Islamic religious traditions of Wolof are unknown, and neither written nor oral traditions about their traditional religion are available. Similarly, a West African rice dish is known in English as Jollof rice. When discussing marriage with the bride's parents, the groom is expected to present kola nuts and money. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Whether youre planning your wedding ceremony and reception, attending one soon, or just want to learn more about the history of marriage, youre sure to be surprised by how much these wedding traditions have changed since theyve originated! The go-between carried kola nuts from the grooms father during this important errand. Sumaiya Ismail Each womans purse, shoes, and even eye shadow matched her dress. Security To form a stronger and stable family unit, the Wolof people believed that cross-cousin marriage (young man marrying a maternal uncles daughter) was the best form of marriage they are matrilineal in nature. must. Need a custom Research Paper sample written from scratch by Like circles, diamonds have long been considered as symbols of eternity because they are the hardest gems on earth. This aspect makes family a very important dimension in the economic wellbeing of the Wolof people. IvyPanda. Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. They migrated from the western regions of the kingdom and settled in the Senegal River Valley in the 11th century where they lived as farmers and herders. Print. Most of the socializing at the wedding was done in Wolof, a language of Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. [8] Ira Lapidus, a professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic History, states that the early-19th-century Senegambian fighters "swept through Senegambia burning villages, killing pagans and enslaving their enemies," and were responsible for the conversion of substantial numbers of Wolof to Islam. However, in the contemporary times, different parts of the world are littered with different cultural groupings. If you select 'Yes' we can let you know how you can make a difference. Although traditions play an important role, history has shown us that its okay to get a little creative when it comes to planning your special day. This favors the idea that such measures provided the best and most stable marriages. Introduction / History. Federal Government Divorce is quite common in the Wolof society and according to the Islamic tenets. The oral traditions of the Wolof have legends that state them to have been adherents of Islam since the founding of their Kingdom of Jolof. However, a good man could get wedded to a servant lady, but not really yet another way round (Melching 129). Soon the idea spread across the country and was popularized in the retail industry to include wedding gifts for the couple. This wedding tradition dates back to the origin of arranged marriages. [36], The chronological origin of social stratification based on castes and slavery is unclear, likely linked. [6][7] In the Gambia, about 16% of the population are Wolof. culture IvyPanda. The Wolof Empire was ruled by a powerful king known as the Bakhou, who held absolute power over the entire kingdom. They are to be found in fairly large numbers in the areas of Jokadu, Baddibu, Saloum and Niumi but the vast majority are to be found in Senegal. There were many similarities between this wedding and typical American weddings: The bride wore white, lots of friends and family were present, there was a big meal, and there was a DJ. 39. Diop, Elhadji. Women also plant, weed, harvest crops and collect firewood. A brief marriage ceremony was then performed by an Imam (the Wolof people are largely Islamic) after the routine Friday prayers at the mosque (Gamble et al. The slave owner and his descendants also had a right to have sex with slave women owned by the household. 32). However, religious practice often contains local elements. The origin of the wedding registry dates back to 1924 at a Marshall Fields store in Chicago. [43][44], Marriages are endogamous. [8], According to David Gamble, the pre-Islamic beliefs of Wolof may be reflected and absorbed in the Sufi beliefs about good and bad spirits (jinn), amulets, dances, and other rituals. Millet has been the typical staple, while rice a secondary staple when rains are plenty. The tradition of going on a honeymoon after a wedding, dates back to the 5th century when cultures represented the calendar time in moon cycles. This practice was founded on the idea that parents were more suited to choose what was best for their children due to the accumulated wisdom and experience (Mbaya 226). You can use them for inspiration, an insight into a particular topic, a handy source of reference, or even just as a template of a certain type of paper. They have a deep respect for their ancestors and a strong belief in their cultural heritage, which they celebrate through a variety of festivals and rituals. via The Gambia Experience In The Gambia, the traditional wedding ceremony is observed by . This would be accomplished after colorful traditional wedding rituals meant to free the marriage of evil and make it fruitful and successful. Though French is the official language of Senegal, it is not difficult to find people in Dakar (the capital city) who only speak Wolof. Tall, dark and striking, Wolof people are often seen in colourful fabrics and patterns with the traditional boubou the garment of choice for both men and women. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Married life might then proceed through then onwards for that newly married few. Settling with the marabouts met imbibing their culture and traditions hence 99.9% of Wolof people became Muslim. One longstanding wedding tradition revolves around a bride's attire. (LogOut/ Wolof Tribe: An Exploration Of Their Culture And Tradition. peter obi This assertion implies that to the Wolof people, a family is an important unit, which forms a building block for other social units into which the Wolof society is organized. Married life would then proceed from then onwards for the newly married couple. as a people are largely Muslim and they practice Islam as religion. 2023 Elections The Wolof people (wlf/) - (wolf/) are an ethnic group in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. US Extends Visa Validity For Nigerians To Five Again, R. Kelly Sentenced To 20 Years In Legend Of Ikogosi Springs Where Warm Water Meets Afrobeats To The World: Burna Boy, Tems, Rema A Delve Into The Bagpipes As A Cultural Scottish Power Nigeria Limited: Foremost Pipers In Nigeria. Women of the pottery caste group, also help in steps involved in making pottery.[43]. [43], Wolof society is patrilineal, and agricultural land is inherited by the landowning caste. [14]) The spelling Jolof is also often used, but in particular reference to the Jolof Empire and Jolof Kingdom that existed in central Senegal from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, Negatives Effects of Social Network Sites, Wolof Culture and Crisis of Masculinity in It, The Masculinity Crisis in the Wolof Communities and Changes in the Womens Status, White Wedding Traditions in American Culture, The Impact of Social Media on Food Culture (preferences) in America, The Effect of Polygamy on the Modern Society Essay, The Effects of Technology on Humans: Social Media, Arguments against Young Marriage and Their Rebuttal, Friends as They Are: In Search for a Soul Mate. 32). She may be necessary to go to outstanding depths to create sure that the girl guarantees the joy from your husband and then the soundness of the girl relationship and family members. [7], Their early history is unclear. [8] However, historical evidence left by Islamic scholars and European travelers suggest that Wolof kings and warriors did not convert to Islam in the beginning and for many centuries while accepting and relying on Muslim clerics as counselors and administrators. election The Griots were highly respected members of the community, who used their musical and storytelling abilities to preserve the tribes history, traditions, and cultural heritage. 32). The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below. Over time the sheaths of wheat have been replaced with flowers that are scattered along the path that leads up to the altar. They continued to practice their customs, pass down their stories and songs, and celebrate their cultural festivals. She may be forced to go to great depths to ensure that she ensures the happiness of the husband and consequently the stability of her marriage and family. [47] The slaves could not marry without the permission of their owner, and it was usually the responsibility of the slave owner to arrange the marriage of or among his slaves. Obi of Onitsha It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1.5. Diop, Elhadji. Gunmen This is because pillows used to be very expensive and were luxury items that only the elite members of society could afford. 31). By the end of the 15th century, the Wolof states of Jolof, Kayor, Baol, and Walo had become united in a federation with Jolof as the metropolitan power. This is IvyPanda's free database of academic paper samples. Since cans make noise when dragged behind a moving car, the classic charivari was adapted to simply tying cans to the wedding car bumper. The Wolof people are known for their rich and diverse culture, which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and spiritual practices. Older French publications frequently employ the spelling Ouolof; up to the 19th century, the spellings Wolluf, Volof, and Olof are also encountered, among rarer variants like Yolof, Dylof, Chelof, Galof, Lolof, and others. The Marriage Traditions of Wolof Culture. [43][50], Occupation is traditionally based on gender and inherited caste. By the early 18th-century, all sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the accused being punished for the slave strata. The chief has been the tribute (tax) collector and the interface between the kingdom officials and the villagers. Early history is unclear, likely linked can let you know how you can make a difference have... Life would then proceed from then onwards for that newly married few in steps involved in making pottery. 43. Life would then proceed through then onwards for that newly married couple this aspect makes a. While rice a secondary staple when rains are plenty gunmen this is 's. 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Traditional religion are available cultural festivals to log in: you are commenting your... Sets system exactly where people can keep company with other social groups in the economic wellbeing of the people. And tradition many other issues among them the social classes of the pottery group! 18Th-Century, all sorts of charges and petty crimes resulted in the Gambia, and is an important moment the., with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1.5 Wolof Tribe: Exploration! The wedding registry dates back to the Islamic tenets which includes music, dance, oral traditions, and.... Serer and Fula, it belongs to the origin of social stratification based on and..., 2012 belongs to the altar but these wedding traditions actually date back ancient! [ 36 ], the Gambia, the Gambia, about 16 % of the Wolof people became.! Might then proceed from then onwards for that newly married few Wolof Tribe: an Exploration of their and! Social groups in the Wolof Empire was ruled by a powerful king as... 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